World War I Collection

ten kilometers from the Rhine River not very far from Coblenz. May get to go there some of these days as we are given liberty every so often. I am in the 2nd Division and our Insignia is a star with a Indian head on it. We are all decorated up with them now. Wear them on our left shoulder. Guess you have read of the 2nd Division. It is one of the best divisions over here. Can't say when we will get back to the states, but am not figuring on getting back very soon. May get back in time for fruit season. I bet when we do get back and get turned loose there will be a wild scramble for the confectionary stores. They had better lay in a good supply. I am just as apt as not to clean Austins store out. ha. ha. Will try and get some views of different places in Germany and send them to you. Can't get much in this burg though. Sent some to you folks already but don't know whether you will get them or not. Got a letter from Aunt Nell and she said that they enjoyed having you folks up very much. Has Carrie ever rec'd any more letters from me?

tell him I will answer soon. I rec'd the the papers today and was very glad to get them. I sent you a second division book the other day and hope you rec'd it. Tho't it might interest you as it gives the history of the second division and the part it did during the war. Also sent one to Wilfred and will send some more to different ones if I can get them.

I went to Neiuwed the other day to take in the 2nd division horse show but took in the town instead which nearly all of us did. It is quite a town. About the size of Santa Barbara I guess and is situated on the Rhine River. All of the stores have different kinds of souvenirs to sell the american soldiers. Iron crosses, belts rings and most anything you could think of. I bought several rings in remembrance of the Worlds war and an Iron cross watch fob & several other things. Sent Ida a post card folder of views around Coblenz. Will send more later. Am writing this letter in our Y.M.C.A. and eating cookies and chocolate caramels at the same time. We have been getting

views of this country and hope they get them. Sent you a book of the 2nd Division & our history also a Panorama of the Rhine. Wrote you a while back that I had my picture taken & would send some. Went down to the next town this morning but they were not finished yet. So if the old square head ever gets them finished I will send you some.

Friday morning we got up at three bells, ate our chow, drawed sandwiches and piled into trucks and went way down the Rhine right by Ehrenbreitstein which is across the river from Coblenz.

The whole second Division was there and we were inspected by General Pershing. There sure was a bunch of us when

we all got together. He said that we was the best Div he had looked over yet and that we ought to be proud of belonging to it. He also said that we would be one of the first divisions to leave when the Army of Occupation broke up. I figure on quite a stay over here yet though. We are fixed very comfortable so I should worry. We are given liberty more often now so I will get to see quite a bit a this country. Have been to Neuwied several times & got a good view of Coblenz the other day. We have a Y.M.C.A. here now so can get all the sweets etc. that we want. I have another 2nd

it very much. They have all kinds of winter sports there such as sleighing, skiing etc, but never did any of it myself just looked on. The Y.M.C.A. always had some show on, motion pictures and vaudeville. It is situated in a large Casino where some of the millionaires of the U.S. used to gamble. Seen a hole that Harry K. Thaw shot in the wall on a bet.

We got our meals and rooms free while there. Everything is paid by the government. The bed was the best I have ever slept in. Had my pictures taken while there and they were pretty good. One of myself and a boy from Pittsburg who went down with me. Also had some of myself alone. Be sure and keep them as they are very valuable pictures. Paid fifteen francs for a dozen which is about three dollars in U.S. money. They are only post card size so you see that is quite a price to pay for them. Also bought a couple of handkerchiefs that I will send. They cost me 10 Francs. Would liked to have sent you some pillow covers but they wanted to much for them. We passed through quite a bit of country and our way down & quite a few good sized towns.

Passed through Metz and it is quite a city. Also passed through some of the old battle grounds up around Bellivue. Was there around the last of July 1918. Stayed a Coblenz a day on my way down and